New Delhi: Some call him a "rap-god", many call him the next Yo Yo Honey Singh. But if you've been anywhere near the northern states of India (or any pub in India, for that matter) you could not have missed the popular Punjabi song 'Proper patola'. The song sung by Diljit Dosanjh and written by musician Badshah, achieved a cult status with its YouTube video getting over 50 lakh hits.
Now, with Badshah's latest song 'Abhi toh party shuru hui hai' featuring in the upcoming Disney film 'Khoobsurat', the Chandigarh-based star seems to have "arrived" in Bollywood.
Over an exclusive telephonic interview with IBNLive Movies, the newest B-town celebrity talked about his music, his family, his lifestyle, his fans, Bollywood, and his association with Yo Yo Honey Singh.
"I chose the stage name Badshah, because I live like one," began the rather shy, Chandigarh-based musician-rapper. "That, and because it is a sort-of homage to my favourite Bollywood star, Shah Rukh Khan," he added.
A former close associate of popular rapper Honey Singh, Badshah parted ways with the singer in 2012. So what did he take away from the experience or learn from Singh? "Actually, it is the other way around," he quipped, laughing. "No, Honey Singh is a very hard-working musician and an acute businessman. Actually, he's a very good businessman who happens to be a rapper," says Badshah. "He knows what sells, and he knows how to create hype and sell his brand. Sort of like the newest models of iPhones," he chuckled.
Be it his songs 'Proper Patola', 'Saturday Saturday' from 'Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania' or 'Abhi toh party shuru hui hai' from 'Khoobsurat', Badshah keeps the lyrics clean, and free from sexual innuendoes and cuss words. "While connecting with my fans, I realised that most of them were children. I can't comment on whether I continue this particular trend to the Tee, but I an firmly committed to delivering 'prime time' content, without any lyrics that repulse the listener," he said firmly.
As a rapper with a Punjabi background comparisons are abound between Badshah and Honey Singh. "Yes, that is true. Filmmakers think of me as a cleaner, 'prime time' version of Honey Singh. I don't mind that," he said simply.
A happily married man, Badshah is fond of watching films and spending time with his wife. We asked him about a photograph of him washing his brand-new BMW, wearing shorts, and he replied, "Most people think that all artistes should have glamorous lifestyles. Not that I don't live like that -- but I simply do things because I like to do them. And I really like my car!"
As he was being driven down from Chandigarh to Delhi, the call got disconnected a lot. Calling back every single time and apologising in a gentlemanly manner, Badshah shared that his interest in music dated back to his being a part of his school choir. "I enjoyed singing -- but I was kicked out because of indiscipline," he laughed.
As the interview drew to an end, we asked him a staple question that is put to most artistes.
"If you weren't a musician, what would you be?"
After a slight pause, Badshah replied, "If I weren't a successful musician, I'd have been an IAS officer."
Our silence must have reeked of surprise, because Badshah added with a chuckle, "Don't be shocked, I have always been a good student. I am a civil engineer, you know!"
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